On This Day

[The Professor]

On this day in 1909 WG Grace published his third book 'WG's Little Book.'

The book, whilst also recounting some memories of cricket games of the past, was mainly a cricketing manifesto detailing the changes he had seen in his day and his beliefs on modern cricket.

Below is a review from The Manchester Guardian:


Dr. W.G. Grace has already written two books on cricket, and now Messrs. NEWNES publish a third. It is quite small and may be had for a shilling, and though there is a good deal about golf and fishing and other irrelevancies, there is plenty of shrewd stuff that is to the point.

Of course the book is egotistic; we should hardly feel that we had our money’s worth if it were not. If anyone has earned the right to the egotist’s complacency it is the genial champion of the game, who in his day was as clearly exalted above his contemporaries as SHAKESPEARE appears to be above his now. He is generous to those with whom he played and to the younger men, but there are some trenchant criticisms of our modern methods.

Dr. GRACE regrets the tendency to an excess of defensive play, and ridicules the talk of bowling that is too good to be hit when it is all a matter of the batsman’s steady timidity. He quotes with approval Mr. E. V. LUCAS’S remark that gentlemen nowadays play cricket like over-worked artisans, and he wants to see more stepping out to drive in defiance of the wicket-keeper.

Dr. GRACE has some curious things to say about the “googlie” bowling, which, with such masters as FAULKNER and VOGLER at their best, he believes to be the most difficult kind ever invented. His belief, founded on conversation with the bowlers, is that it is impossible for them to maintain their form many years because their tortuous methods make them feel queer under the ribs, whereas anyone who wants to bowl happily for ever should imitate the easy action of JACK HEARNE or ALFRED SHAW.

DR. W. G. GRACE has already written two books on cricket, and now Messrs. NEWNES publish a third. It is quite small and may be had for a shilling, and though there is a good deal about golf and fishing and other irrelevancies, there is plenty of shrewd stuff that is to the point.

Of course the book is egotistic; we should hardly feel that we had our money’s worth if it were not. If anyone has earned the right to the egotist’s complacency it is the genial champion of the game, who in his day was as clearly exalted above his contemporaries as SHAKESPEARE appears to be above his now. He is generous to those with whom he played and to the younger men, but there are some trenchant criticisms of our modern methods.

Dr. GRACE regrets the tendency to an excess of defensive play, and ridicules the talk of bowling that is too good to be hit when it is all a matter of the batsman’s steady timidity. He quotes with approval Mr. E. V. LUCAS’S remark that gentlemen nowadays play cricket like over-worked artisans, and he wants to see more stepping out to drive in defiance of the wicket-keeper.

Dr. GRACE has some curious things to say about the “googlie” bowling, which, with such masters as FAULKNER and VOGLER at their best, he believes to be the most difficult kind ever invented. His belief, founded on conversation with the bowlers, is that it is impossible for them to maintain their form many years because their tortuous methods make them feel queer under the ribs, whereas anyone who wants to bowl happily for ever should imitate the easy action of JACK HEARNE or ALFRED SHAW.

Sometimes Dr. GRACE is almost indiscreet. He says that BREARLEY is not as fast as he looks; that he has known under-hand bowlers faster than RICHARDSON and MOLD; that in the days when umpires were employed by the particular county “the Lancashire and Notts umpires always knew which side was batting”; and that F. S. JACKSON is very likely to win the Amateur Golf Championship soon. The experienced cricketer is seen in the hint to the long field that it is easier to catch running backward than forward, and in the suggestion that the very high standard of fielding at the present day has been set by those who are safe in the pavilion.

It is interesting to read about that obsolete and unregretted stroke the draw, and that other curious stroke, practised by RICHARD DAFT and greatly fancied by the mid-Victorian schoolboy, to accomplish which the batsman cocked up his left leg and played the ball under it. Even this surprising piece of technique pales before GEORGE PARR’S famous sweep which took a straight ball round to somewhere between long leg and long stop. What would these old heroes think of it if they knew that leg-hitting was abandoned, and that when a man tries to cut a rising ball his friends shudder and mutter “Steady”?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hardly would have seemed any need to buy it after that review.

Richard Daft sounds punk.

[The Professor]

Seems a bit of an eccentric. He was ridiculed on one occasion when he came out to bat with his head wrapped in a towel for protection in protest at what turned out to be a fatal injury received by the previous batsman (George Summers), due to short-pitched bowling on the notoriously uneven Lord's pitch.

[The Professor]

On this day in 1989 Ted a'Beckett died.

A talented all rounder in every sense of the word, a'Beckett went to the University of Melbourne where he read Law and played for both the cricket and Australian Rules Football team.

Once graduated he balanced his work as a solicitor with representing Victoria cricket team. He also went on to represent Australia 4 times between 1928-31 playing alongside the likes of Don Bradman and Bill Ponsford. He scored 41 and 86 and got the wicket of Jack Hobbs on debut against England. Despite the fact he scored 104 runs, got two wickets and bagged two catches in his first two tests, a'Beckett was dropped.

He was recalled a year later after getting the best bowling figures in the Australian domestic league with 28 wickets at 14.71. As well as this he came 15th in batting. On the tour of England he scored 454 runs at an average of 25.22 and took 23 wickets at 28.96.

His last test was against South Africa before he decided to focus on his business as a solicitor rather than cricket.

His career figures read 1636 runs at 29.21 with 105 wickets at 29.16.

[The Professor]

On this day in 2014 Sri Lanka ensured a series winning, if not controversial victory, over England.

England won the toss and elected to bat. A 76 run stand between Alistair Cook and Ian Bell set the score up nicely , however nobody could replicate that form. To go from 98-1 to 219 at the end of the innings would have been a real disappointment. Bell got out to the spin of Ajantha Mendis.

The wickets were shared between the Sri Lankan bowlers; Ashan Priyanjan claimed Root and Angelo Matthews got Eoin Morgan.

The controversy began when Sachithra Senanayake played despite being reported for a suspect action. He had already picked up the wicket of Cook in the 29th over and there was a real feeling of hostility around his inclusion. This was only added to in the 44th over when he mankadded Jos Buttler. Matthews pressed ahead with the dismissal, making it the first of its kind since 1992.

Controversy aside Buttler's wicket was a big one, especially as England would now enter into the dying overs with James Tredwell and Chris Jordan at the crease.

In reply to England's 219, Mahela Jayawardene and Lahiru Thirimanne scored half-centuries after a half century partnership between Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kusal Perera was broken by Tredwell. The same bowler would then go on to claim the prize wicket of Kumar Sangakarra in the next over for 2. At that time Sri Lanka looked on the front foot but the fourth wicket partnership took the game away from England.

[The Professor]

On this day in 1964 rain affected Day One of the first Test of The Ashes.

In a damp squib of a first day only a handful of overs were bowled. Despite this Australia did manage to claim their first wicket of the Summer. Fred Titmus and Geoff Boycott had racked up a partnership of 38, when the former was caught by Ian Redpath off the bowling of Neil Hawke.

The day ended with England on 58/1 - Boycott on 23 and, third man in, Ted Dexter on 6.

[braveneutral]

Hardly would have seemed any need to buy it after that review.

Richard Daft sounds punk.

I like your clever musical reference.

Kudos.

[The Professor]

On this day in 1964 England make a decent total on Day Two.

After a disappointingly sodden Day One, Day Two showed more promise and England delivered with a decent performance with the bat.

Geoff Boycott and Ted Dexter started in good form with a steady partnership that had begun the night before, before Neil Hawke struck again. He had now taken both of England's wickets.

In a similar fashion to how the second wicket partnership developed, Boycott and Colin Cowdrey started well, began to accelerate and then got broken. This time it was Boycott who was sent back by Grahame Corling.

Then came one of the two defining partnerships of the day: Cowdrey and Ken Barrington. Both batsmen played well and started to frustrate the Australian bowlers as the partnership spread across two sessions and showed some signs that it may spin out of their control. Despite this both went in quick succession. Hawke returned to claim Cowdrey, who has been the most dominant of the partners, whilst Tom Veivers took Barrington.

This formed the brand new partnership of Phil Sharpe and Jim Parks. The former started brightly and was clearly the senior partner. This is reflected in as much as Parks was dismissed for 15 when he attempted to accelerate his run rate.

Veivers, who claimed Parks, struck a double blow soon after when he got Fred Trueman for a duck. This rendered England 165-7 and Australia would have had hopes of wrapping it all up within the next few overs.

They did not prepare for the defiant late partnership of Parks and David Allen. Their partnership of 47 frustrated Australia and looked like it might have spilled into Day Three, however the fast bowling of Graham McKenzie intervened and sent Allen back. The day ended with Parks on 35* and final batsman Len Coldwell yet to score. England's total was 216/8.

[The Professor]

On this day in 1964 the most frustrating of rains hit Nottingham meaning not a single ball was played despite a full ground.

The day started with glorious weather and the ground filled up; only for rain to begin shortly after eleven o'clock and continue unrelentingly throughout the day.

With this in mind we can focus in on an example of good sportsmanship that arose on Day One.

During Geoff Boycott and Fred Titmus' 38 run opening partnership, wicket keeper Wally Grout could have run Titmus out. Boycott hit a dicey single and both batsmen dashed for the run. Neil Hawke dived for the ball and in the process knocked Titmus over from behind. By the time he righted himself, Titmus was far from home when the ball landed in the wicket-keeper's gloves, but Grout let him reach the crease and England were credited with a single.

This could be seen as karma for a similar incident that happened four years previous between these two sides - although with a different outcome. Australia's Jackie McGlew was impeded and Brian Statham broke the wicket. Colin Cowdrey, the England captain that day and also playing in the 1964 game, wished McGlew to be allowed to continue, but the umpires insisted that their decision in response to an appeal could not be changed.

[The Professor]

On this day in 1964 there was a rest day between England and Australia - so we shall linger on a notable debutant on this game.

This test match was the first time Geoff Boycott had been called up into the England side.

Boycott was lucky to be alive, yet alone be playing professional sport. At the age of 8, he was impaled through his chest by the handle of a mangle. Surgeons had to remove his spleen in order to save his life.

Before reverting to cricket he had a stint as a football player - he had a spell at Leeds before signing for Barnsley in the late 1950s.

After his conversion to cricket his first few innings were not immediately notable. His first four scores for Yorkshire were 4, 4, 6 and 21. This saw his position in the team under threat and, club captain, Brian Close had to persuade the selection committee to retain him. His faith was paid off almost immediately with a career best 145 against Yorkshire's rivals Lancashire.

From there his scores vastly improved: 76, 53, 49, 50 62, 28 and 113. This led to his inclusion in the team for this match.

[alfie]

On this day in 1964 the most frustrating of rains hit Nottingham meaning not a single ball was played despite a full ground.

The day started with glorious weather and the ground filled up; only for rain to begin shortly after eleven o'clock and continue unrelentingly throughout the day.

With this in mind we can focus in on an example of good sportsmanship that arose on Day One.

During Geoff Boycott and Fred Titmus' 38 run opening partnership, wicket keeper Wally Grout could have run Titmus out. Boycott hit a dicey single and both batsmen dashed for the run. Neil Hawke dived for the ball and in the process knocked Titmus over from behind. By the time he righted himself, Titmus was far from home when the ball landed in the wicket-keeper's gloves, but Grout let him reach the crease and England were credited with a single.

This could be seen as karma for a similar incident that happened four years previous between these two sides - although with a different outcome. Australia's Jackie McGlew was impeded and Brian Statham broke the wicket. Colin Cowdrey, the England captain that day and also playing in the 1964 game, wished McGlew to be allowed to continue, but the umpires insisted that their decision in response to an appeal could not be changed.

Interesting stuff as usual , 365 ... but error has crept in this time : the previous incident mentioned wasn't in an Ashes Test...Jackie McGlew was South African and it was they who were touring England in 1960. Remember Grout and his sportsmanship well...

[The Professor]

On this day in 1964 the most frustrating of rains hit Nottingham meaning not a single ball was played despite a full ground.

The day started with glorious weather and the ground filled up; only for rain to begin shortly after eleven o'clock and continue unrelentingly throughout the day.

With this in mind we can focus in on an example of good sportsmanship that arose on Day One.

During Geoff Boycott and Fred Titmus' 38 run opening partnership, wicket keeper Wally Grout could have run Titmus out. Boycott hit a dicey single and both batsmen dashed for the run. Neil Hawke dived for the ball and in the process knocked Titmus over from behind. By the time he righted himself, Titmus was far from home when the ball landed in the wicket-keeper's gloves, but Grout let him reach the crease and England were credited with a single.

This could be seen as karma for a similar incident that happened four years previous between these two sides - although with a different outcome. Australia's Jackie McGlew was impeded and Brian Statham broke the wicket. Colin Cowdrey, the England captain that day and also playing in the 1964 game, wished McGlew to be allowed to continue, but the umpires insisted that their decision in response to an appeal could not be changed.

Interesting stuff as usual , 365 ... but error has crept in this time : the previous incident mentioned wasn't in an Ashes Test...Jackie McGlew was South African and it was they who were touring England in 1960. Remember Grout and his sportsmanship well...

Ah damn....surprised I got as far as I did without cocking something up.

[The Professor]

On this day in 1964 England and Australia finally got to play cricket again....although Australia would probably have wished they hadn't got the chance.

Ted Dexter declared straight away with a lead of 216 runs.

Shortly into Australia's innings Ian Redpath was sent back by Fred Trueman. Peter Burge and Norm O'Neill tried to make a decent fist of it but fell cheaply for 26 and 31 respectively. Fred Trueman got 3 of the first 5 wickets.

When Australia were 61/4 - Bill Simpson came in and tried to seize the middle order; however he was the only one. He ended on 50, nearly double the score of the next highest Australian batsmen. Australia were all out for 193 runs, 26 runs behind.

The last 5 batsmen for Australia scored a combined total of 38 runs; the highest score being Wally Grout's 13. Where Trueman caused the most pain for Australia in opening sessions; Len Coldwell got three of the last 5 batsmen.

England were back batting again by the end of the day and proved that the track was worth batting on. They ended the day on 71/0 with Ted Dexter on 56 and Fred Titmus on 13.

[braveneutral]

This is the day some years ago where Strauss was made Captain. I think.

[braveneutral]

I read something on the Beeb but forgot what it was. Relates to Strauss though.